By Terrence Burns
I have been fortunate to work within the Olympic Movement for over 30 years, taking part in thirteen Olympic candidate city campaigns, six of which were successful. I understand what distinguishes marginal ones from transformational ones. Transformational candidatures convey a narrative larger than themselves, resonating not only with a nation’s potential but also with the developing needs of the Olympic Movement.
India’s candidature to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrives at a pivotal moment. The Olympic Movement is entering a new era under fresh leadership and a broader vision for what the Games can be. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) now has its first female president, Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, a youthful, progressive leader. She signals progress and possibility, acknowledging that global sport must reflect the world it serves. India 2036 aligns with this moment; it is a bid that looks forward to a brighter future for all.
India has never hosted the Olympic Games; this is more a matter of timing than omission. For much of the last century, the scale and complexity of the Games placed them beyond reach. That era has passed. With its growing economic strength, expanding infrastructure, and an earned sense of confidence, India is now poised for success. India’s Olympic vision, rooted in capability and character, asserts that unity through diversity and shared progress embodies lived values, not mere aspirations.
A mirror and a message
India 2036 would convey a powerful message: that the Olympic Movement belongs not only to traditional hosts in the Global North but also to the aspirations of the Global South. This is not benevolence; it is balance. The subcontinent is home to nearly two billion people, with half of India’s population under the age of 30. They are future Olympic athletes, fans, and leaders.
A Games in India would connect the Olympic Movement to an unmatched audience in scale and diversity, deepening global engagement through its reach and relevance. With its vibrant youth, robust democracy, and rich cultural heritage, India offers the IOC a new host nation and a unique, valuable partner.
Shared values, global stage
India and the Olympic Movement share fundamental values, such as selfless service (seva), which reflects the Olympic commitment to friendship and fair play. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’s belief that the world is one family echoes the Olympic vision of universality.
In India, these are not abstract ideals. These ideals shape how people live, communities gather, guests are welcomed, and differences become strengths. India offers an Olympic Games grounded in something deeply human: warmth, respect, and shared belonging.
A new cultural narrative
Each edition of the Games leaves a cultural imprint. Barcelona symbolised renewal, Beijing ambition, and London inclusion. India would offer something equally striking: a celebration of a young, ambitious nation where 1.4 billion people, speaking dozens of languages and practising many faiths, live a daily reality of multiculturalism, not as a far-reaching ideal but as a fact of life.
Like the Olympics, India is not a singular culture. With 22 official languages and a history of coexistence spanning millennia, India serves as both a stage and a symbol where the story of humanity is richly told. Imagine an Opening ceremony where Vedic chants meet Bollywood spectacle, Gandhi’s legacy intersects with Paralympic excellence, and classical musicians share the stage with Gen Z creators.
Catalyst for progress
Hosting the Games is a significant national effort, but India is already on that journey. Its long-term development plan, Viksit Bharat 2047, places sport, inclusion, and sustainability at its core. A Games in India will not start a movement but also accelerate one.
India’s Olympic aspirations will help modernise infrastructure, expand access to sports, and build healthier, more inclusive cities. Existing programmes like Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Khelo India Rising Talent Identification ensure sport becomes a part of daily life. Mera Yuva Bharat connects youth to leadership, service, and athletic opportunities. India 2036 is not a one-off event, but a generational commitment to sports.
Its Olympic dreams are not only focused on India. The nation will share its legacy with other countries through various facilities and expertise. India’s rise in sport will strengthen the global sporting community.
At their best, the Olympic and Paralympic Games inspire belief in athletes, community, and what humanity can achieve when united by purpose. India 2036 will be historic, not just for its location but also for what it represents and who it includes.
The Olympic Movement now faces new opportunities: How will it grow and stay relevant? How will it unite a divided world? India 2036 offers an answer: an Olympic Games that expands the Olympic family, not merely as spectators but as partners.
This is not only India’s moment. It is also an opportunity for the IOC to begin a new chapter, one defined by courage, connection, and the enduring belief that sport and the Olympic Games belong to everyone.
The writer is Chairman & CEO, T Burns Sports Group.
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